In the gospel of Mark (Chap. 10, 46-52), we meet up with the blind beggar Bartimaeus. Despite heavy opposition from certain people who keep telling him to pipe down, Bartimaeus persists in crying out to Jesus to have pity on him and finally manages to attract Jesus' attention. Upon calling Bartimaeus over to him, Jesus asks him point-blank, "What do you want me to do for you?"

"Lord," he replies, "I want to see."

What a wonderful prayer! Straightforward, unvarnished, right from the heart. It gives me confidence and hope in my own feeble attempts at prayer, for I also yearn to see. But what exactly do I desire to see?

Lord, I want to see your splendor shining throughout your universe. I want to see your goodness inherent in all of your creation. I want to see the radiance of your life incarnated in every person I meet. I want to see the beauty of your truth, which alone sets us free.

Lord, I want to see the endless possibilities of growth and conversion that surround us each day. I want to see the wonders of your love enfolding us wherever we go, whatever we do. I want to see the wisdom of your ways, so far beyond our comprehension. I want to see our sufferings and deaths redeemed and transformed by your glorious resurrection.

Lord, I want to see the magnificent liberty that is ours as the children of God. I want to see the myriad marvels that unite us into one family, one heart, one soul, one body in you. I want to see the countless opportunities you give us day after day to love and serve each other, especially the least of our brothersand sisters. I want to see your grace and mercy at work in my life and the lives of others.

O Lord, I want to see with the eyes of faith for only then can I see you, present everywhere in quiet, hidden joy, even in our brokenness, pain and sorrow. And this above all is my greatest longing -- to see you. I do already, but through a glass, darkly. Help me to live here and now in such a way that when my life on this earth ends, I will indeed see you face-to-face, my Lord and God.